Broken-down train halts Isle of Wight rail services

The Island Line runs between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin

Rail services on the Isle of Wight are out of action after the only train currently in service broke down.

South Western Railway said the train developed a fault on the Island Line between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin.

The train firm said its fleet maintenance team were investigating and working towards fixing the problem.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Buses have been brought in to take passengers between Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade.

Island Line currently operates one service an hour in each direction between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, using a single train.

The train firm bought five two-carriage trains from Vivarail, a company which collapsed shortly afterwards.

Two of the five trains are out of service long-term, having failed because of flood damage.

The remaining three trains have been affected by excessive wear to the wheels.

This led to Island Line reducing the timetable by half, from two trains an hour to one.

South Western Railway hoped to reinstate a second train for the peak summer season, but it has not confirmed this will happen.

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